Protecting Your Smile During Sports
A sports guard helps cushion your teeth and mouth from impacts during activities where falls, contact, or fast-moving equipment can lead to injury. It can also help protect braces and dental work such as dental bridges and dental implants.
While different types of mouthguards are available, a custom sports guard is made specifically for your teeth and bite. Dr. Asha Bhanot and our team can create a guard that fits securely and comfortably, so it is easier to wear consistently when you are active.
Choosing the Right Sports Guard
Sports guards come in several forms, and the main differences are how they fit, how they are made, and the level of comfort they provide during activity. Here is how the three common options compare.
Stock Sports Guards
Stock guards are pre-formed and ready to wear, making them an inexpensive and convenient option. Because they are not shaped to your teeth, the fit can be loose or bulky, which may make speaking and breathing less comfortable during activity.
Boil-and-Bite Sports Guards
Boil-and-bite guards soften in hot water and are then shaped around your teeth by biting into the material. They can provide a closer fit than a stock guard, although the final comfort and fit depend on how well the guard is formed.
Custom Sports Guards
Custom sports guards are created from an impression or digital scan of your teeth, allowing the guard to follow the shape of your mouth more closely. A secure, comfortable fit can make it easier to speak, breathe, and keep the guard in place while you play. If adjustments are needed, our dental team can fine-tune the fit for you.
How Much Does a Sports Guard Cost in Georgetown?
The cost of a sports guard depends largely on the type you choose. Stock guards are generally the least expensive option, while boil-and-bite guards cost a little more because they can be shaped to your teeth at home. Custom sports guards have a higher upfront cost because they are made specifically for your mouth by a dental professional.
As a general Ontario estimate, a dentist-made custom sports guard may cost approximately $200 to $500. Your actual fee can vary depending on the material, design, laboratory costs, and whether the guard needs to accommodate braces or ongoing orthodontic treatment.
Why Does a Custom Sports Guard Cost More?
With a custom guard, you are paying for more than the mouthguard material itself. Your teeth are scanned or impressions are taken so the appliance can be made to fit your mouth closely. This additional customization is intended to provide a more secure and comfortable fit than a ready-made option.
Dental benefit plans may provide coverage for custom sports guards, but the amount varies by plan. Our team can provide a personalized estimate and the information you need to check your benefits before having your guard made.
Not sure which sports guard is right for you? Contact South Georgetown Dental to discuss your needs and receive an accurate cost estimate.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
During your visit, we will examine your teeth and bite and ask about the sports or activities you participate in. We will also consider braces, dental restorations, or other factors that may affect the fit of your sports guard. This helps us recommend the right design and create a guard that fits securely and comfortably while you play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom sports guards require an impression or digital scan of your teeth followed by fabrication of the guard, so they are not usually available immediately. Turnaround time depends on the type of guard and the dental laboratory. If you need one before a game, tournament, or the start of a season, contact us ahead of time and our team can let you know the current expected timeframe.
There is no fixed replacement schedule for everyone. How long your guard lasts depends on how often you wear it, the forces it is exposed to, how you care for it, and whether your teeth or bite are changing. Children and teenagers may need replacements more often as their mouths develop. If your guard becomes loose, damaged, uncomfortable, or difficult to keep in place, it should be checked.
A boil-and-bite guard can provide basic protection and may be suitable for some recreational activities. A custom guard is made specifically for your teeth and bite, which generally provides a more precise and secure fit. This can be especially valuable for frequent athletes, contact sports, or anyone who finds an over-the-counter guard bulky or difficult to keep in place.
Many professional and competitive athletes choose custom-fitted mouth guards because fit, comfort, communication, and breathing matter during performance. The appropriate design can vary by sport and athlete, so the mouth guard used by a boxer may be different from one made for a hockey, basketball, or football player.
Yes, but the guard needs to accommodate the brackets and allow room for changes in tooth position during orthodontic treatment. A properly designed sports guard can also help protect the inside of your lips and cheeks from contact with braces during an impact. Because your teeth are moving, the fit should be checked regularly.
Some Canadian dental benefit plans may provide full or partial coverage for a dentist-made sports guard, while others exclude it or place limits on how often one can be replaced. Coverage depends on your individual plan. Our team can provide the treatment information and cost estimate you need to check your benefits before proceeding.
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